Our vision is for Scotland to be the world leader in the care and support of vulnerable children and young people.

Vulnerable children and young people, such as those with additional support needs (ASN), experience poorer life chances. This includes those with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning difficulties, learning disabilities, mental health problems, or are looked after. This group as a whole experience lower levels of educational attainment and higher levels of unemployment.

It is essential that these children and young people have access to high quality, well-resourced and quickly accessible services, tailored to their individual needs, Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC).

These services range from those provided by local authorities to support those with ASN, to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) delivered by the NHS.

Such an approach will assist in giving these children and young people the best possible start in life, support the closing of the educational attainment gap and the creation of a more equal society.

In the delivery of vital services there are no shortcuts.

Campaigns

While there is a greatly increased demand on services for vulnerable children and young people, this is set against a background of tight public finances and poor outcomes.

In addition, we aim for the services provided to be tailored to the individual needs of the child or young person, be this by the public sector and/or independent and third sector providers. This is so that they receive the most appropriate care and support, delivering positive outcomes – both educational and social – with the considerable cost saving this can bring.

Our campaigns see us seeking to influence political and other key stakeholders, such as the Scottish Government, local authorities and the NHS, to achieve this positive change.